rally.ie - Stories - Munster CC Moonraker Forestry Rally

Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley triumph in Lismore to consolidate Championship lead

Posted: May 21, 2010 8:48 AM

Pat O’Connell completed a hat-trick when he won last weekends Moonraker Rally, round three of the Petro Systems National Forest Championship. The Cashel man in his Group N Evo 9 emerged with a 27 sec advantage over stalwart Kenny McKinstry in an Impreza WRC. O'Connell led by 4 secs after the opening stage but surrendered his lead on the following test. A blistering pace through the repeat of the famous “Vee” Stage saw O'Connell regain a slender lead. This was endorsed with fastest times on the final stages (5 & 6) where he clinched a notable victory to strengthen his resolve at the top of the “Petro Systems” points.

Kenny McKinstry had to settle for runner up on the day. The former ANCRO Champion made a rare appearance to the Southern Forests and certainly spiced things up! Despite intercom failure and turbo problems McKinstry led by 5 secs at the Lunchtime service in Cappaquinn after stage 3. A spin on stage 4 proved costly, however the penultimate stage sealed his fate with a minor off costing over 20 secs.

John Reid had a smooth run to complete the podium with his faithful Corolla WRC. The Dubliner was a model of consistency all day while his rivals fought tooth and nail. He currently holds second in the Championship standings just 6 points adrift of O'Connell.

James Murphy was happy with fourth after a fraught day with his Escort WRC. Triton Showers man Kevin Barrett (Impreza WRC) was fifth. Hans Matthia (Evo 7) had his best ever result to claim sixth. John McGaffin (Impreza WRC) took seventh while Shane McGirr blazed a trail to eight overall, “Best 2WD” and class 3 honours in his 1600 Starlet. Christy Carey (Evo 9) was ninth and claimed the Group N laurels. Rounding off the top ten; Matt Shinnors (Escort mk2) enjoyed his best ever result after a stern performance.

The Moonraker was a six stage event hosted by the Munster car Club based in the beautiful heritage village of Lismore. It ran by the book with no drama's – testament to the huge effort of new COC Don Montgomery and his team. The rally consisted of three stages done twice including the “Vee” which is widely regarded as one of the best stages in the country.

A total of forty six crews started the rally and thirty two made the finish-line. The main retirements included; Frank Kelly (Escort mk2) gearbox, Vincent Mc Aree (Evo 9) accident , Peter McCullagh (Evo 9) mechanical and Jeremy Drislane (Evo 6) brake failure.

In Car

Posted: May 18, 2010 7:02 PM

Matt Shinnors & Catherine Levis - SS6

Vincent McAree & JP McAree - SS1 (The Vee)

Video Clips

Posted: May 18, 2010 6:57 PM

Photos:

Posted: May 17, 2010 12:32 PM

M. Schayer Rally Photography (rallyphoto.biz)

rallyprint.com - Trevor McGrath

myrally.ie Sport Photography

2WD Winners

Posted: May 17, 2010 12:29 PM

2WD Winners - Shane McGirr/Anthony Concannon (Toyota Starlet 1.6 16V)
Photo: Matt Schayer

Results

Posted: May 17, 2010 12:21 PM

1 Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 GpN) 38m 05s
2 Kenny McKinstry/Harvey Bell (Subaru Impreza WRC) 38m 32s
3 John Reid/Enda Shields (Toyota Corolla WRC) 38m 42s
4 James Murphy/Anthony Nestor (Ford Escort WRC) 39m 12s
5 Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 39m 30s
6 Hans Matthia/Tom McGuire (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) 39m 59s
7 John McGaffin/Kenny Hull (Subaru Impreza WRC) 40m 39s
8 Shane McGirr/Anthony Concannon (Toyota Starlet 1.6 16V) 41m 00s
9 Christy Carey/Donnacha O’Callaghan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 41m 44s
10 Matt Shinnors/Catherine Levis (Ford Escort MKII 1.6 16V) 41m 51s

Leaders After: SS1 Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 GpN)
SS2-3 Kenny McKinstry/Harvey Bell (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4-6 Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 GpN)

Stage Winners:
SS1 Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 GpN)
SS2 Kenny McKinstry/Harvey Bell (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3 Kenny McKinstry/Harvey Bell (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4 Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 GpN)
SS5 Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 GpN)
SS6 Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 GpN)
& Kenny McKinstry/Harvey Bell (Subaru Impreza WRC)

results.shannonsportsit.ie (Angus Sealy)

Rally Programme Outlets

Posted: May 14, 2010 10:11 PM

Programmes will also be available at Scrutiny and Service area at the weekend.

Updated Entry List

Posted: May 12, 2010 11:21 PM

Download Updated Entry List

Late Entries will be taken.

Munster Car Club

Final Instructions 1:

Posted: May 12, 2010 11:20 PM

Download Final Instructions 1

Petro Systems National Forest Rally Championship Round 3 Peview

Posted: May 10, 2010 12:33 PM

Next Sunday’s Lismore House Hotel Moonraker Forestry is round three of the Petro Systems National forestry Championship. It would have been round four but for the cancellation of the Birr Forestry due to lack of entries. The Moonraker is organized by the Munster Car Club and the hard working committee under the leadership of Don Montgomery have organized a very fine event.

Based in Lismore there are six smooth stages in the Cappoquin/Lismore area, with service in Cappoquin. There is a total stage distance of 66km, and each metre will be hotly contested over such classic tests as Scart mountain and the Vee, widely regarded as one of Ireland's most famous forest stage.

The rally begins at 10.00 when the first car leaves Lismore and the winners will be on the podium at 16.30.

Top forestry drivers such as Ken Mc Kinstry, Kevin Barrett John Mc Gaffan (all in Subaru Impreza WRC’s will do battle with championship regulars such as Pat O’Connell (Evo 9), John Reid (Corolla WRC) and Andrew Purcell (Evo 9).

O’Connell leads the championship on 42 points by virtue of winning the first two rounds, and Reid is second with 38 points thanks finishing runner up on both events. Andrew Purcell is another driver to watch, very fast on the two rounds todate but he has been plagued with mechanical troubles. Enda Mc Nulty (35) John Mc Laughlin (33), and Michael Cuddihy (26) complete the top five places.

The classes are also very competitive in this years Petro Systems National Forestry Championship.
After two rounds the class leaders are as follows:
Class 1 Andrew Fanning (Ka),
Class2 Mick Nevin (Escort),
Class 3 Mick Cuddihy (Starlet),
Class4 Nigel Creagh (Escort),
Class 5 Seamus O’Connell (Escort),
Class 6 Enda Mc Nulty (Impreza),
Class 7 John Reid (Corolla WRC),
Class 8 Pat O’Connell (Evo 9)
Class 9 James Downey (Peugeot 205).

Time and Distance Schedule

Posted: May 5, 2010 8:34 AM

Download Time and Distance Schedule

Moonraker Forestry Rally Press Release 1

Posted: April 8, 2010 11:25 PM

Its all systems go for the Petro Systems National forestry Championship as the organizing of round 4 the Lismore House Hotel Moonraker Forestry is in full swing.
The hard working committee of the Munster Car Club have set 66km of challenging,smooth stages in the Cappoquin/Lismore area, with service in Cappoquin.

Championship leader Pat O'Connell has had it all he's own way so far in the championship, but with expected entry's from other top forestry front runners the battle is sure to be hot over such classic stages as Scart mountain & the Vee which is one of Ireland's most famous forest stage.

Not only is the Lismore House Hotel Moonraker forestry rally a counting round of the National forestry championship it is now also a counting round of the South East Stages Rally championship with the loss of previous round Birr.

Regs can be found on the club website, interest is sure to be huge for this popular rally so get your entry's in quickly.

Counting Round South East Stages Rally Championship

Posted: April 7, 2010 2:57 PM

The Moonraker Forestry will now be a counting Round of the South East Championship.

Regulations Available / Details

Posted: April 7, 2010 2:48 PM

Munster Clar Club will host round 4 of the Petro Systems National Forestry Rally Championship on Sunday 16th May 2010.

Once again based at the Lismore House Hotel the event will cover a compact route of 66 stage kms
3 classic stages (includes The Vee) x 2
Central Service after SS2,3 & 5 in Cappoquin

Regulations and Entry Form available on the club website:

Club Website

Posted: January 1, 2010 12:01 AM

Munster Car Club

Munster CC Moonraker Forestry Rally - 16 May 10